“Inspired to learn, motivated to achieve”
Homework Policy
______
“Inspired to learn, motivated to achieve”
Ickford Combined School
Homework Policy
John Ronane
11/06/2013
Rationale
This policy is based on the belief that a well-managed homework programme helps children to develop the skills and attitudes they will need for successful lifelong learning. Homework also supports the development of independent learning skills and provides parents with an opportunity to take part in their children's education.
Learning at home is an essential part of good education. Regular homework is important as it gives pupils the opportunity to practice at home the tasks covered in class, and helps the pupils work towards improving important skills. It also helps children and young people to become confident and independent in their learning, which will help throughout their time at school and in adult life.
Amount of Homework
The amount of compulsory homework each child receives varies according to their Key Stage and their Year group. Children and parents are able to supplement the statutory homework should they wish through use of the IcKLE virtual learning environment or in activities they choose themselves. The school also provides advice on helping children at home.
Homework rouses a variety of emotions amongst any parent community and we consistently review our policy so that our homework is as manageable and effective as possible. Nonetheless, whilst we would prefer to please everyone, it is impossible to do so with homework and we request that everyone supports the policy and ensures that children complete what is expected.
We expect all children to read for a short time (10 – 15 minutes) on every week day and this must be recorded in their Reading Record Book. However, whilst we insist on these five days, it is evident that some children will read more than this and this is to be encouraged as regular reading has a huge impact on the children’s progress in literacy.
The children also receive spellings to learn at home and are expected to spend some time each day carrying out a ‘look, say, cover, write, check’ procedure in order to help learn the words they are given. Problems occur when children try to learn them on only one evening (usually before the day they are tested) as more often than not, they will be forgotten after the test. Spending a short time each day revising spellings has proved to be the best way to build up a deeper understanding and range of vocabulary.
All children receive a piece of numeracy homework during the week usually in the form of a work sheet. This is handed out on one day and expected to be handed in the following week. It is often designed so that the children can complete a part of it on separate days rather than in one whole session.
The children in Key Stage 2 (Years 3 – 6) will have a Learning Log and, apart from Year 6 who receive two, the children have one task to complete each week. The tasks are designed so that the children can interpret them in a personal way and use a variety of mediums to complete them.
Assessment of Homework
Parents/carers must sign their child’s Reading Record book each day. Class teachers check the reading records every day and ‘acknowledgement’ mark them with a tick. At times, a class teacher will make a comment if necessary. Parents must refrain from writing notes in the Reading Records please and just sign and date them.
Learning Log tasks are given out on a Thursday and Learning Logs are collected each Wednesday. Children must not hand their Learning Logs in before Wednesday of each week.
Learning Logs are marked using post it notes to record teacher’s comments and a selection are marked by the Headteacher each week.
The Role of Parents/Carers
Parents/carers are requested to support their child in his/her homework and where possible promote opportunities for home learning in accordance with the Home School Agreement.
Parents/carers must sign the Reading Record book to affirm that the child has completed the reading homework. Parents may choose to encourage their children to complete additional homework tasks either through the IcKLE virtual learning environment or in activities they choose themselves.
Additional Homework
There are times when it is necessary to give children additional homework and it is expected to be completed. Such times include:
Learning a script for a production or assembly
Learning a poem
Finding something for ‘show and tell’
Recording the weather for the week
Recording a diary of events over a week such as food/TV programmes/exercise
Watching a media event
Watching a TV programme on a particular day
Learning Times Tables
Keeping up with news events
Learning French Vocabulary
Handwriting Practice
Equal Opportunities
We recognise children as individuals and endeavour to ensure that they all reach their full potential. When setting homework, teachers take into account the different learning needs of children and those on the SEN and Gifted and Talented registers may be given differentiated homework according to their needs. Teachers also take into account children with disabilities and severe learning difficulties and ensure that homework is matched to the child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP).
Teachers take care to avoid homework that may reinforce discrimination by gender, religion, race, ethnicity or socio-economic status and any tasks that may reinforce stereotypes.
Useful websites:
1